"The Very Thought of You" is a pop standard that was recorded and published in 1934 with music and lyrics by Ray Noble. The song was first recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals for HMV in England in April 1934. This record was then released in the United States by Victor, and it reached number one for five weeks on the pop music charts. The song was the subject of litigation in 1962. In 1934, Noble assigned the copyright to British publisher Campbell, Connelly & Company. Before the copyright was renewed, however, Noble assigned the United States copyright to M. Witmark & Sons. A suit was brought by Campbell, Connelly against Noble, stating that the assignment covered all rights, including rights in the USA. A British High Court judge ruled in favor of Campbell, Connelly. Charting cover versions In 1946, Luis Russell recorded the song, which went to number three on the Most-Played Juke Box Race Records charts. A rhythm and blues version by Little Willie John reached number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Three years later Ricky Nelson's rock and roll version reached No. 26 on the Billboard chart, lasting 7 weeks in the Hot 100, and crossing to No. 11 on the Billboard magazine Easy Listening chart. Natalie Cole reached #34 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart in the spring of 1992 with her version from her LP Unforgettable... with Love (1991). In Canada, her version spent two weeks at #19 Adult Contemporary. Covers by notable artists Bing Crosby (1934) Billie Holiday (1938) Doris Day (1950) Dizzy Gillespie (1953) Nat King Cole (1958) Dakota Staton (1960) Frank Sinatra (1962) Albert King (1967) Elvis Costello (1995) Harry Connick Jr. (2003) Tony Bennett with Paul McCartney (2006) Michael Bublé (2016) Bryan Ferry (2022) References 1934 songs 1934 singles 1946 singles 1961 singles 1964 singles 1992 singles 1930s jazz standards Songs written by Ray Noble Pop standards Al Bowlly songs Bing Crosby songs Billie Holiday songs Doris Day songs Harry Connick Jr. songs Ricky Nelson songs Natalie Cole songs Sarah Vaughan songs Vaughn Monroe songs Elektra Records singles Number-one singles in the United States